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A List of Additional Manuscripts 
of the French and Indian War 




mericatt J^nitquattan ^ixtxtfti 



A LIST OF additio:n^al MAJSTUSCRIPTS 

OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 

IN THE 
LIBRARY OF THE SOCIETY 



PREPARED FROM THE ORIGINALS 

UNDER DIRECTION OF THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE 

BY CHARLES HENRY LINCOLN 




Worcester, Massachusetts 

Published by the Society 

1908. 



THE DAVIS PRESS 
Worcester Massachusetts 



Reprinted from the Proceedings of The«4«ierican Antiquarian Society, October. 1908 



PREFATORY ISTOTE. 

In the last two numbers of its proceedings this society 
has pubUshed calendars of two groups of manuscripts 
relating in large part to the last war between the British 
and French colonies in America. Primarily devoted to 
the personalities of Sir William Johnson and Col. John 
Bradstreet the period of time covered by each list has 
extended beyond 1763 nearly to the American Revolution. 
The calendar here presented lists such additional manu- 
scripts in the library of the society as relate to the period 
of the French and Indian war from 1754 to 1763 and that 
alone. This record therefore does not exhaust the sources 
here available regarding such men as John Burk or WiUiam 
Henshaw but with the earlier publications which may be 
profitably used in connection with this issue it covers the 
last war in which Great Britain and her American colonies 
fought side by side. As in former issues, whenever prac- 
ticable, entries for manuscripts have been combined and 
the size of the list thereby reduced. 

Crown Point was not taken from the French until the 
fall of Ticonderoga necessitated its surrender and the 
expeditions against this fortress in 1755 and 1759 are the 
centers about which some of the more noteworthy manu- 
scripts in this collection gather. The efforts to obtain 
forces and stores for the first attack furnish the theme 
for the early correspondence between Governor Shirley, 
Robert Hale and the Colonial Assemblies. A little later 
the Burk letters and muster rolls as well as other orderly 
books and diaries and the military papers of -William Hen- 
shaw lighten a broader field but Crown Point is again the 
center of action. Some manuscripts, notably the Chron- 
icles of Robert Hale cover the entire period and field of 
warfare and these furnish a better sense of proportion than 
do manuscripts dealing with a single campaign or battle. 



4 American Antiquarian Society. 

Aside from the above mentioned men of note there are 
manuscripts of Jonathan Bagley, Ephraim and Israel 
Williams, Timothy Ruggles, John Tyng, John Winslow 
and Timothy Woodbridge and a careful examination of 
muster rolls, bounty lists and the like will bring to light 
the names of many less prominent soldiers contributed 
by the British colonies to the war. 

Certain letters deserve more than summary treatment. 
Such are the Keppel letters of July 1755, giving an account 
of the battle upon the banks of the Monongahela July 9 
when in the midst of Braddock's defeat George Washington 
showed his military ability and the value of Colonial soldiers 
and Colonial methods of warfare became deservedly recog- 
nized. These letters are printed in full in an appendix, 
and the identity of the British and Colonial officers taking 
part in the engagement has been shown more fully than in 
the original text. 

WALDO LINCOLN, 
FRANKLIN P. RICE, 
NATHANIEL PAINE, 

Library Committee. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Prefatory note ...... 3 

Abbreviations used ..... 5 

Calendar of Manuscripts ..... 7 

The Keppel Manuscripts in full . . . .43 



ABBREVIATIONS USED, 

A. D. — Autograph Document. 
. D. S. — Autograph Document Signed. 
D. S. — Document Signed. 
A. L. — Autograph Letter. 
L. S. — Autograph Letter Signed. 
L. S. — Letter Signed. 
[ ]— Information suppHed. 
[ ? ] — Doubtful reading or information. 
*** — Omissions. 








'^^^^v^■4. 










French and Indian War Manuscripts. 



ADDITIONAL MANUSCRIPTS 
OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 



1754. Shirley, W[illiam]. Boston. Commission to John 
Sept. 10. Burk as Ensign in the Militia Regiment of Col. 
Israel Williams. Countersigned J[oseph] Willard. 
D. S. Ip. 

1754. WilUams, Israel. [Hatfield?] Letter to [John] 
Sept. 10. Burk. Directions as to guarding Greenfield, 

Colrain and Fall Town; scouts to be maintained 
and information forwarded. A. L. S. Ip. 

The name Fall Town or Falltown was changed to Ber- 
nardstown or Bernardston, Mar. 6, 1762. The name Burk 
seems to have been changed to Burke by some members 
of the family after the close of the French war in 1763. 
The signature appears originally as John Burk and is so 
retained in this calendar. 

1755. Shirley, W[iniam]. Council Chamber. [Boston]. 
Feb. 13. Message to the Council and House of Repre- 
sentatives of Massachusetts. Considers the 
times favorable for an expedition against Crown 
Point; attention of French divided between 
Nova Scotia and Ohio country; advantage to 
New England and New York of holding Crown 
Point; calls upon the two houses for a generous 
effort; promises his own regiment and all that 
he can do as chief executive of colony; suggests 
a feint attack by the Kennebec or Chaudiere 
river as likely to divide the French yet further. 
Cont. Copy in ms. of and attested by Thomas 
Clarke, Dpty. Secy. 3pp. 

Enclosed: Shirley, William. Instructions to Robert 
Hale, Feb. 22, 1755. Printed under date of Feb. 12 and 



8 American Antiquarian Society. 

with other slight variations: N. H. Pro v. Papers, Manchester . 
1872, VI, 358; Penna. Col. Records, Harrisburg, 1851,VI, 314. 

1755. Massachusetts, General Court. [Boston]. Com- 
Feb. 18. mittee report on Messages of Gov. William 
Shirley with action of General Court thereon. 
Approve plan in messages of Feb. 13 and 15 
for erecting fortress near Crown Point; consider 
an army of 5000 necessary for expedition; 
recommend that Governor request aid from 
other colonies in following proportion: New 
Hampshire 400, Connecticut 1000, Rhode Island 
400 and New York 800 men; request employment 
of regiments of Shirley and [Sir WiUiam] Pepper- 
rell; provisions for enlistment and pay for 1200 
men from Massachusetts; application to be 
made to New Jersey for men; Gov. Shirley to 
appoint commander-in-chief and to notify 
British Government. "By Order J[ohn] Os- 
borne." Report approved by House of Rep- 
resentatives, "T[homas] Hubbard, Spkr." and 
by Council, "Thomas Clarke Dpty. Secy." Cont. 
Copy in ms. of and attested by Clarke. 3pp. 

Enclosed: Shirley, WilUam. Instructions to Robert 
Hale Feb. 22, 1755. Printed with slight changes N. H. 
Prov. Papers, Manchester 1872, VI, 359. Pa. Col. Records, 
Harrisburg 1851, VI, 316. 

1755. Shirley, W[illiam]. Boston, Mass. To Robert 
Feb. 22. Hale. Commissions Hale in the name of Mass- 
achusetts to apply to the Government of New 
Hampshire for aid in promoting the expedition 
[against Crown Point] approved by the Council 
and House of Representatives; will give more 
explicit instructions as to method of procedure. 
"By His Excellency's Command. J[osiah] 
Willard." Seal. D. S. Ip. 

1755. Shirley, W[illiam]. Boston. To Robert Hale. 
Feb. 22. "Instructions for soliciting" the Government of 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 9 

New Hampshire to unite with Massachusetts, 
Rhode Island and Connecticut in an expedition 
against Crown Point: Is to present Shirley's 
message to Mass. Assembly [Feb. 13] and reply 
of that body [Feb. 18] to authorities of New 
Hampshire and urge cooperation; if colony will 
not agree to terms set forth in above documents 
Hale is to ascertain how much it will do and 
reasons for non agreement with plans as made; 
[Feb. 27,] report to be made at Boston. P. S. Encloses 
vote of [Mass.] Assembly of Feb. 27 to be used 
if a larger number of men can be obtained 
thereby. L. S. with autograph postscript. 2pp. 

1755. Shirley, W[illiam]. Boston. Letter to Gov. [Ben- 
Feb. 25. ning Wentworth] of New Hampshire. Attitude 
of the French toward the English colonies in 
America; measures of retaliation authorized by 
the London government; proposed movements 
outlined in writer's message to the Massachu- 
setts Assembly and reply received; encloses 
copies of these documents and Robert Hale will 
give further explanations if desired. L. S. 6pp. 

In Sir William Johnson Mss. See also Message of 
Shirley of Feb. 13 and action on same Feb. 18 ante. 

1755. Massachusetts, General Court. [Boston]. Vote 
Feb. 27. regarding Crown Point Expedition. In case 
Governments of New Hampshire, Rhode Island 
and Connecticut consent to proposed expedition 
against Crown Point desire Gov. [William 
Shirley] to issue proclamation for raising 4000 
men as quota of Massachusetts; New York to 
be relied on for 800 men or proportionate share 
of provisions and other war stores in default 
of men; upon issuance of proclamation oath 
of secrecy removed from members of Assembly. 

"T[homas] Hubbard Spkr." "In Council 

read and concurred Thomas Clarke Dpty. Secy. 



]0 American Antiquarian Society. 

Consented to W[illiam] Shirley." Cont. Copy 
in ms. of and attested by Clarke. Ip. 

Enclosed in Shirley, William to Robert Hale Feb. 22-27, 
1755. 

1755. Wentworth, [Benning]. Portsmouth. Letter to 
Feb. 28. Gov. William Shirley. Acknowledges letters 
received giving plans against the French; agrees 
in the main with Shirley's proposals; asks 
advice as to best method of raising desired 
amount of money. Cont. Copy inclosed in 
Shirley to Robert Hale Mar. 4. 2pp. 

In Sir William Johnson Mss. 

1755. S[hirley], W[illiam]. Boston. Letter to Gov. 
Mar. 4. [Benning Wentworth]. Is gratified at Went- 
worth's approval of plans against Crown Point; 
outlines further plans against the French and 
Indians; hopes all the colonies involved may act 
in unison; united colonial troops to be under Sir 
William Johnson ; [Maj .] General [Edward] Brad- 
dock to command British forces. Cont. Copy en- 
closed in Shirley to Robert Hale of equal date. 3pp. 

In Sir William Johnson Mss. 

1755. Shirley, W[illiam]. Boston. Letter to .Col. 
Mar. 4. [Robert] Hale. Considers it advantageous for 
Hale to have copies of Gov. [Benning] Went- 
worth's letter [of Feb. 28] and his [Shirley's] 
reply [of Mar. 4] so encloses same; has "taken 
care of your friend Capt. [Jonathan] Bagley"; 
Commissioners for Rhode Island, [Thomas] 
Hutchinson, for New York and New Jersey 
[Thomas Pownall] and for Pennsylvania [Josiah 
Quincy] have gone to obtain aid from those 
colonies; thinks Gov. [Benning] Wentworth will 
be ready to see him [Hale] by the time the latter 
reaches Portsmouth and hopes visit will be a 
profitable one. A. L. S. Ip. 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 1 1 

1755. Welles, Samuel and John Choat. [Hartford, Conn.] 
Mar. 14. Letter to [Josiah] Willard, Secy, of Massachu- 
setts. On Mar. 13 presented to Gov. [Thomas 
Fitch] and both branches of Assembly of Con- 
necticut the plan proposed by Massachusetts 
for the expedition against Crown Point; having 
received from [Thomas] Hutchinson news of 
the favorable actions of Rhode Island presented 
that among other arguments for action by 
Connecticut but did not show the Rhode Island 
act; expect to obtain full quota and possibty 
more from the Assembly. Cont. Copy in ms. 
of and attested by Thomas Clarke Dpty. Secy. 
P. S. Auto. Note of Gov. William Shirley, by 
whom this copy is forwarded to Robert Hale, 
stating what portion of letter had been for- 
warded to Gov. Wentworth of N. H. 2pp. 

Welles and Choate had been sent to Connecticut by the 
Massachusetts General Court as commissioners to advance 
the cause of the expedition mentioned. For names of 
Commissioners to other colonies see preceding entry. 
The spelling Choat is that of the manuscript and has 
been followed in title. 

1755. [Hale, Robert]. Portsmouth. Letter to [Gov. 
Mar. 14. William Shirley]. Upon receipt of Shirley's 
letter [of Mar. 4] Hale started for Portsmouth 
Mar. 8 and arrived Mar. 9; [Gov. Penning] 
Wentworth unwilling that he see any legislators 
except the Secy. [Theodore Atkinson] until the 
Assembly met [Mar. 12]; reports progress made 
as to raising troops for service; in 1745 New 
Hampshire had but 7000 rateable polls and the 
state considers herself on the same footing as 
Rhode Island; no disposition to make allowance 
for what "we" [Massachusetts] did in 1754; 
thinks New Hampshire will provide 300 troops 
if kept in garrison; pleased that R. I. has come 
up to her quota; difficulties caused by counter- 
feit colonial paper; fears that much other aid 



12 American Antiquarian Society. 

is not to be obtained from N. H.; reasons for 
hoping that [John] Titcomb will be given post 
of Lt. Col. A. L. 2pp. Incomplete. 

1755. H[ale], R[obert]. Portsmouth. Letter [to Gov. 
Mar. 15. William Shirley]. Acknowledges letters of 
Shirley dated Mar. 14; laid enclosures before 
Gov. [Benning] Wentworth and his secretary; 
effect of Shirley's message upon the legislature; 
Hale's personal efforts with [Peter] Gilman, 
[Theodore] Atkinson and others; expects a report 
on 17th favoring 600 men with subsistence to 
point of rendezvous; will move for more men 
conditional on New York furnishing subsistence; 
many think New Hampshire should not be 
asked for half so many men as Massachusetts; 
doubts if so many can be secured with popula- 
tion but one-sixth as large; all wonder why the 
General Court of Massachusetts considered itself 
warranted in fixing the quota each colony should 
raise. A. L. S. 3pp. 

1755. Shirley, W[illiam]. Boston. Letter to Col. [Robert] 
Mar. 16. Hale. Acknowledges letters of 14th from Hale 
and from Gov. [Benning] Wentworth; encloses 
copy of answer to latter; opinion on proposed 
feint along the Chaudiere; hints regarding 
boundary dispute between Massachusetts and 
New Hampshire; thinks latter colony more 
interested in solution of troubles with French 
than is Rhode Island so her quota for Crown 
Point expedition placed at a larger number; has 
perfect confidence in Hale's judgment; desires 
that copies of letters forwarded him be returned 
as originals have been mislaid. A. L. S. 3pp. 

[1755]. H[ale]. R[obert. Portsmouth]. Letter [to Gov. 

[Mar. 18]. W^illiam Shirley.] From conversation with Col. 

[Timothy] Ruggles and Capt. [Jonathan] Bagley 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 13 

has concluded that salaries paid colonial army 
officers are much too small ; bad results of policy ; 
more attention must be paid to forwarding 
ammunition and supplies; hopes Shirley will 
look into matters himself; lack of supplies noted 
by Capt. [John] Osborne; no cannon at Albany 
until Aug. 2; welcomes [Maj. Genl. John] Wins- 
low as commander [of Massachusetts troops]; 
praises appointments of Col. [John] Plaisted and 
Col. [Richard] Gridley; desires no command for 
himself and asks that his nephew R[obert] H. 
Chipman may not be compelled to serve as he 
is in poor health; recommends Capt. John Lee 
jr. of Manchester. Auto. Draft Signed. 3pp. 
Incomplete. 

1755. Shirley, William. Boston. Letter to Col. [Robert] 
Mar. 19. Hale. Regrets difficulty with Col. [Peter] Gil- 
man mentioned in letter of 14th [15th]; knows 
nothing of Lt. [Richard] Emery but thinks he 
"may be an officer of Sir William Pepperrell's 
Regiment"; hopes that obstacles will be removed 
[as regards raising men for campaign] ; will give 
up such men as [Joseph] Malcolm has obtained ; 
has directed [Ephraim] Berry to adjourn Inferior 
Court as requested. A. L. S. Ip. 

1755. Hale, Robert. Portsmouth. Letter to [Gov. 
Mar. 21. William Shirley]. Assembly passed report of 
committee on raising men [for campaign against 
Crown Point] but agreed to 400 troops only; 
difficulties as to procuring appropriation for 
expenses of expedition; personal efforts with 
officials raised the number to 500; encloses copy 
of resolution to that effect just signed by Gov. 
[Penning Wentworth]; is gratified that so many 
were secured when length of boundary of New 
Hampshire is considered and when compared with 
contribution of Connecticut. A. L. S. 2pp. 



14 American Antiquarian Society. 

1755. New York, Assembly. New York. Committee 
Mar. 27. report on message of Lt. Gov. [James DeLancey] 
with action of Assembly thereon. Matter con- 
sidered is expedition against Crown Point; 
report made by [William] Nicoll[s] chairman of 
Committee; Committee united with Committee 
of Council in consideration of message of Mar. 
26; approve plan proposed by Gov. [William] 
Shirley of Mass. and explained by Lt. Gov. 
[De Lancey] and Thomas Pownall; recommend 
that colony supply 800 men if British Com- 
mander in Chief [Sir William Johnson] approve 
and if Mass. raise and subsist 1400 men or 1200 
for Crown Point and 200 for a diversion up the 
Kennebec; Assembly agreed unanimously as 
did the Council and joint committee appointed 
to report to Lt. Gov. DeLancey. "By Abrm. 
Lott jr. Clk. Assem. " Copy in ms. of and 
attested by Thomas Clarke. 2pp. 

It is possible that by "British Commander in Chief" 
Maj. Genl. Edward Braddock is meant. See: Shirley 
to Wentworth, Mar. 4, 1755. Ante p. 10. 

1755. Massachusetts, General Court. [Boston]. Action 
Mar. 29. regarding Crown Point Expedition. In Council : 
Committee of War authorized to appoint one or 
more delegates to meet in conference with 
delegates from other colonies interested; con- 
ference to apportion stores necessary for expedi- 
tion against Crown Point among several Col- 
onies; "sent down for Concurrence T[homas] 
Clarke, Dpty. Secry. " In the House of Repre- 
sentatives: "Read and Concur'd T[homas] Hub- 
bard Spkr. " " Consented to, W[illiam] Shirley. " 
Copy signed and attested by Clarke. Ip. 

1755. Shirley, W[illiam]. Boston. To John Burk. 
Mar. 29. Commission as Capt-Lieut. in regiment of Col. 
Ephraim Williams. Countersigned J[oseph] 
Willard. D. S. Ip. 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 15 

1755. Massachusetts, General Court, Committee. Boston. 
Apr. 10. To [Robert] Hale. Consider it necessary for Hale 
to go to Portsmouth at once; is to inform New 
Hampshire Assembly that by reason of encourage- 
ment given by that body, Massachusetts and 
other governments have engaged for the expedi- 
tion against Crown Point ; Massachusetts has voted 
to raise 1500 men in place of the 1200 at first 
proposed and Committee hope New Hampshire 
will exert herself correspondingly. L. S. ''J[ohn] 
Osborne In the Name of the Committee. " Ip. 

1755. Williams, Ephraim. Deerfield. Letter to John 
Apr. 11. Burk. Offers Burk position of Capt-Lieut. in 
his regiment for expedition against Crown Point ; 
desires that only good men be enlisted; Simeon 
Wells to be sergeant of company; conditions 
of enlistment for privates; wishes early reply 
and names of men going to join Col. [Israel] 
Williams at Hatfield. A. L. S. Ip. 

The important officers of this regiment were Col. Eph- 
raim WiUiams, Lt. Col. Seth'Pomeroj^ Maj. Noah Ashley, 
Surg. Thomas Williams, Surg, mate Perez Marsh, Chaplain 
Stephen WiUiams, Commissary Eleazer Burt, Adjutant 
Philip Richardson, Armorer John P. Bull. 

1755. WiUiams, Israel. [Hatfield.] Letter to John Burk. 
May 1. Consents to dismissal of Sergt. [William] Patrick 
from service and suggests that [Ebenezer] 
Sheldon succeed him; present rank of latter can 
be no higher than Corporal; outlines conduct 
expected in the office. A. L. S. Ip. 

1755. Williams, Elijah. [Stockbridge, Mass.] To Col- 
Jun. 17. ony of Massachusetts. Account for expenses 
in building Fort Williams Sep. 1754-Apr. 1755. 
Account amounts to £11. 14s. Ifd. and is attested 
before Joseph Dwight, Justice of Peace of 
Hampshire Co. It is addressed to Lt. Samuel 
Brown or Col. Joseph Dwight. A. D. S. Ip. 



16 American Antiquarian Society. 

1755. [Williams, Israel.] To Moses Emerson. Receipt 
Jul. 15. for powder and supplies received Jul. 1-15 at 
the hands of John Burk. A. D. Ip. 

1755. Orme, [Robert]. [Fort Cumberland.] To Com- 
Jul. 18. modore Augustus Keppel. Account of the 
battle on the Monongahela Jul. 9. Account 
describes behavior of officers and soldiers on 
English side and gives estimates of losses. In 
ms. of KeppeFs secretary. 4pp. 

Enclosed: Keppel to Gov. Charles Lawrence, Jul. 26, 
1755. 

[1755.] [Shirley, William. Fort Cumberland. To Com- 
[Jul. 18.] modore Augustus Keppel.] "A List of the 
Officers who were present and of those killed 
and wounded in the action on the banks of the 
Monongahela." List contains 86 names headed 
by that of "His Excelency Edwd. Braddock — 
Died of his wounds." Of the officers 63 are 
noted as killed or wounded and this is followed 
by the statement: "About 600 men killed and 
wounded." Cont. Copy in hand of James 
Bradford Secy, to Shirley. 3pp. 

Enclosed: Keppel to Gov. Charles Lawrence Jul. 26, 
1755. Contemporary lists differing however in the spelling 
of names are found in the Minutes of the Provincial Council 
of Pennsylvania for Jul. 24, 1755, the Pennsylvania Gazette 
of Jul. 31 and elsewhere. In none are full names given. 

1755, Keppel, A[ugustus]. Sea Horse at Sea. To Gov. 
Jul. 26. [Charles] Lawrence of Nova Scotia. Acknowl- 
edges letters received; is kept from visiting him 
by defeat of [Maj. Genl. Edward] Braddock; 
encloses letters giving details; loss of prestige to 
British arms; other comment; congratulates 
Lawrence on his success in expedition across the 
bay. A. L. S. 2pp. 

This letter and its enclosures are printed in full on p. 
43 ff . , -where are supplied the full names of officers men- 
tioned in Shirley's list. 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 17 

1755. Stebbings, John. Lake George. Receipt for mil- 

Sep. 22. itary outfit belonging to late Robert Royan, 

with enumeration of goods received. D. S. Ip.' 

1755. Massachusetts, House of Representatives. Order 
Dec. 11. naming a committee of five to which the Council 

may join others to consider the affairs of the 
French inhabitants of Nova Scotia who have 
been brought into this Government. On verso is 
oath required from inhabitants in 1761. Cont. 
ms. Ip. 

1756. Sinclair, Sir John. New York. Receipt Book 
Mar. 16-24. giving an account of the men employed in the 

batteau service in America. The volume contains 
hsts of 24 companies and signed receipts of 1039 
officers and men; these persons "acknowledge 
to have voluntarily enlisted for the transporting 
of provisions for His Majesty's service in bat- 
toes according to the advertisement published 
by [Maj.] Genl. [William] Shirley dated Jan. 19, 
1756" and they further acknowledge "to have 
received from Sir John St. Clair [Sinclair] Dep. 
Q. M. Genl. twenty days pay— the Captains 
at eight shillings, the Assistants at six and the 
Battoe men at four shillings a day." 1039 
signatures: 24 and 30pp., 1 vol. 

The names of the captains of the companies follow in 
the order of their signatures: Daniel De Normandie, 
Daniel Sutton, Jonathan Woodroff, James Cusick, Abra- 
ham Van Duerson, William Line, Peter Jaquet, John 
Salmon, John McDougall, John Ten Broek, John Lawrence, 
Thomas Deare, Samuel Neilson, Samuel Askwith, Jacobus 
Wyncoop, George Knaggs, fcaiah Valleau, Joseph Riggs, 
John Egan, Hendrick Seydam, John Brown, John Emott[ 
and John Atkins. 

1756. White, Jonathan; Richardson, Phihp and John 

May 6. Stebbings. Boston. "Bond to Massachusetts 

Colony. Amount of warrants received by each 

from the treasurer of the province "to subsist 



18 American Antiquarian Society. 

our respective companies to Albany"; agree to 
return to Committee of War list of names of 
men in respective companies and surplus of 
money if number is not equal to that stated. 
A. D. S. of White. D. S. of others. 2pp. 

The signers were Captains in the regiment of Col. 
Timothy Ruggles. 

1756. Winslow, J[ohn.] Camp at Half Moon. [Albany.] 
Jun. 5. Eeturn of troops. A return of the Provincial 
troops raised by the Governments of Massachu- 
setts Bay, Connecticut, New York and Rhode 
Island with the numbers stationed at certain 
named posts. The troops were raised for the 
reduction of Crown Point and the posts given 
are Fort William Henry, Fort Edward, Upper 
Saratoga, Lower Saratoga, Stillwater and Half 
Moon; reports other men under Lt. Col. [Jona- 
than?] Hoar and Maj. [Jonathan] Star as yet 
on the road. The total is 4170 with artillerv. 
D. S. Ip. 

1756. Gridley, Isaac. [Fall Town.] To Jolin Burk. 
Jun. 22. Account of clothing furnished Burk's Company. 

Account amounts to £ 51. 17 s. 2 d. On verso 
in ms. of Burk are notes of various additions 
and deductions to account of Commissary 
Gridley. A. D. S. Ip. 

1755-6. Crown Point Expedition. [Boston.] Two Tables 
for computing the wages of the officers and 
soldiers [from Massachusetts] in the Crown 
Point expedition. With these tables are two 
manuscripts classifying the number of officers 
and men [from Massachusetts] taking part in 
the Crown Point Expedition with pay of each 
group. 5pp. with attached slips. 

1757. Massachusetts, General Court. To the Committee 
Jan. 14. on the Muster rolls. Resolution of the House 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 19 

of Representatives providing method for com- 
puting wages of officers and soldiers who enhsted 
for the expedition [of 1755] against Crown Point 
sent up for concurrence of Council. T[homas] 
Jan. 17. Hubbard Spkr. In Council: Read and con- 
curred. Thos. Clarke Dpty. Secy. Consented 
to S[pencer] Phips. Copy examined, A[ndrew] 
Oliver, Secy. 2pp. 

1757, Burk, John. Boston, [Mass.] Muster roll of com- 
Feb. 23. pany under command of. 36 names on roll, 
among them 3 deserters and 4 Indians. The 
' list appears to include but a section of Burk's 
full company and as frequently is the case in 
these early rolls the word deserter has not the 
full significance of later days often meaning 
no more than absent at time of roll call. Cont. 
Copy. Ip. 

1757. Partridge, OHver. Hatfield. Letter to John Burk. 
Mar. 30. Has received commission of Captain in [Massa- 
chusetts] service for Burk and of Lieutenant 
for Selah Barnard; requests Burk to notify 
latter and both to repair to Hatfield [to take 
oath of service]. A. L. S. Ip. 

1757. [Burk, Jolm. Fall Town?] List of men to form 
Mar. portion of Command of. A list of the names 

of men raised from the northern regiment in 
the county of Hampshire for his majesty's service 
under the command of the Earl of Loudon; 70 
names with place of residence. Cont. Copy. Ip. 

1757. Denny, William. Philadelphia. To Archibald 
Aug. 13. Kennedy. Acknowledges receipt of two letters, 
latter informing him of surrender of Fort William 
Henry and attack on Fort Edward; Pennsyl- 
vania has no militia but will recommend to the 
Assembly that assistance be given him. Cont. 
Copy. Ip. 



20 American Antiquarian Society. 

1757. Winslow, John. [Boston.] Letter to Maj. Elipha- 
Aug. 17. let Pond. Orders Pond to march with his 
detachment to Springfield where he is to place 
himself under the direction of Sir William 
Pepperell; postscript directs Pond to halt at 
Worcester for camp on evening of August 18. 
L. S. with autograph postscript. Ip. 

1757. Pownall, Thomas. Boston. To Benjamin Hallo- 
Aug. 27. well jr. Commission as Captain of His Majesty's 
ship King George. D. S. of Pownall certified 
by Thomas Clarke, Dep. Secy. Ip. 

1757. Newhall, Jonathan. Stockbridge, [Mass.] Certifi- 
Sep. 5. cate that 31 men have been billeted on inhabi- 
tants of Stockbridge, for three weeks; men were 
from the regiment of Col. John Chandler jr. 
D. S. Ip. 

1757. Hale, Robert. Chronicle of the War against the 
Oct. 30. French and Indians. This chronicle is stated 
as beginning Jul. 1, 1755 but rough notes of 
occurrences as early as Oct. 18, 1748 are given. 
Important events of the war against the French 
and Indians are noted as also summaries of 
legislative proceedings and popular feeling; 
occurrences in New England and the North are 
followed with more detail than corresponding 
movements in the South and West. The Chron- 
icle continues until Oct. 30, 1757 and is con- 
tinued by a second part Nov. 1, 1757 — ^April 
30, 1761, and a third covering May 1, 1761 — 
Oct. 30, 1762. See entry under later of given 
dates for each volume. A. D. 56 pp.; 1 vol. 

1757. Woodbridge, Timothy. [Worcester.] To the pro- 

Nov. 7. vince [of Massachusetts]. Amounts due to 13 

named persons; expenses for billeting soldiers 

under command of Capt. [Jonathan] Newhall 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 21 

until troops were ordered by Sir William Pep- 
per[r]ell; total is £ 18. 12 s. D. S. Ip. 

[1757]. [Burk, John. Boston.] Muster roll of Company 
[Nov. 17.] under command of. 23 names on roll, among 
whom are noted the men who have been enrolled 
since Feb. 12, two who never joined and five 
deserters. The list appears to include but a 
section of Burk's company. Cont. Copy. Ip. 

1757. Lane, Edmund. [Fort Cumberland.] Court Mar- 
Dec. 26. tial of. Record of Court Martial proceedings 
in case of Edmund Lane of Capt. [Benoni] 
Danks company of rangers in regiment of Lt. 
Col. Hunt Walsh. Court of six members, Capt. 
Theodore Augustus Spann, President; Lane 
found guilty of fighting and making a disturb- 
ance, and sentenced to 100 lashes. Sentence 
confirmed by "Hunt Walsh Lieut. Col." D. S. 
of Spann Ip. 

1757. [Massachusetts.] Clothing supplied for provincial 

troops. List of coats, blankets etc. sent to 
Worcester by various persons to provide for 
troops at that place. Cont. ms. Ip. 

[1757?] Worthington, [John.] List of certain men in 
regiment of. '*A List of those absent, sick, 
deserted, absent by leave etc. raised in Col. 
Worthington's regiment. " 32 names. Endorsed : 
List of soldiers left behind. Cont. ms. Ip. 

1758. Danks, Benoni. Fort Cumberland. Roll of Com- 
Aug. 4. pany of. Roll contains names of 57 men of 

whom 42 are privates. See: Danks, Benoni, Roll 
Feb. 20, 1761. Cont. ms. Ip. Mutilated. 

1758. Bagley, Jonathan. Orderly Book of the Massachu- 
Aug. 20- setts regiment commanded by Col. Bagley when 
Sep. 11. in provincial camp at Lake George. 34pp. 1 vol. 



22 American Antiquarian Society. 

1758. Herres, William. Holden, [Mass.] Certificate of 
Sep. 15. service of son. Certifies that his son Valentine 
Herres enlisted in Capt. [John] Patton's Com- 
pany of Gov. [William] Shirley's regiment and 
was captured at Oswego. A. D. S. Ip. 

1758. Williams, Israel. Hatfield. Letter to John Burk. 
Sep. 29. Death of [John] Catlin makes Capt. Burk the 
senior captain on the frontier service [in regi- 
ment]; directs him to repair to Colrain and 
other frontier posts to see that service is main- 
tained; other directions. A. L. S. Ip. 

1758. Fort William Henry, Diary of a soldier stationed 
Sep. 15- at. The record begins with an account of life 
Nov. 15. at the fort; describes such incidents of the war 
as the arrival and departure of troops, actions 
between opposing forces and rumors of move- 
ments by the French or Indians. The volume 
contains descriptions of Courts-martial, notes 
of frontier life and closes with the record of a 
march from Fort William Henry to Albany by 
way of Fort Edward, Saratoga, StiUwater and 
Half Moon. 12pp. Bound with a Diary of an 
Expedition to Louisburgh etc. May 15, 1759- 
Sep. 24, 1760. See entry under latter date 
post p. 32. 

1758. Pynchon, Joseph. Deerfield. Letter to John Burk. 
Nov. 26. Requests names of men on Burk's roD that com- 
missary's account may be prepared. A. L. S. Ip. 

1759. Hutchinson, Israel. [Boston?] To Gov. Thomas 
Mar. 1. Pownall and the General Court of Massachusetts. 

Petitioner was a Lieut, in company of Capt. 
Andrew Fuller and regiment of Col. Jonathan 
Bagley in expedition of 1758 against Canada; 
mishaps suffered at "Ticondaroga" form basis 
of petition for relief; certificates offered to 
support claim. A. D. S. Ip. 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 23 

[1759]. Fellows, [John] and others. "A List of the men 
Feb. 23- enhsted above the Green Woods" by Capt. 
Mar. 6. Fellows, [Paul] Dewey, [William] King and 
[Josiah] Church. 70 names are given and men- 
tion is made of one deserter. Cont. ms. Ip. 

1759. Ruggles, Timothy. [Boston.] Letter to Capt. 
Mar. 27. John Burk. Has appointed Burk Captain in 
his own regiment; directs him to apply to Col. 
Israel Williams of the militia for 90 men; latter 
will raise this number and turn them over to 
Burk who will be accountable for them thereafter. 
L. S. Ip. 

On verso in the manuscript of Burk is a Table giving 
expenses of travel from Springfield to Boston May 17-21, 
with notes of stopping places on way. 

1759. Pownall, T[homas]. Boston. Commissions to 
Mar. 31. Cornelius Stowell and William Henshaw as 
1st and 2d Lieutenants respectively in companies 
of Capts. William Paige and Jeduthan Baldwin 
of regiment commanded by Brig. Genl. Timothy 
Ruggles. Ds. S. Certified by A[ndrew] OHver, 
Secy. Ip. each. 

1759. Pierce, Benjamin. Hampshire County. Enlist- 
Apr. 2. ment papers. Acknowledgment of enlistment 
in service for invasion of Canada. Counter- 
signed by Joseph Hawley, Justice of Peace of 
County of Hampshire. D. S. Ip. 

[1759.] IngersoU, Joseph. Boston. Letter to William 
Apr. [10.] Henshaw. Notifies him that he has been 
appointed a Lieutenant under Brig. Genl. 
[Timothy] Ruggles for the campaign against 
Canada, and directs him to repair to Worcester 
for orders. A. L. S. Ip. 

1759. Waldo, Samuel jr. Fahnouth. [Portland Me.] 
Apr. 13. Letter to William Brattle. Encloses regimental 



24 American Antiquarian Society. 

return; 50 men for Canada of whom four are 
in navy; expects 150 are with the Penobscot 
expedition. A. L. S. Ip. 

1759. Henshaw, Jonathan. [Leicester.] To William 

Apr. 14. Henshaw. Account for military equipment to 

sum of £ 14. 12 s. 4 d. for which a note has been 

received. In ms. of William Henshaw. Ip. 

1759. [Burk, John. Deerfield, Mass.] Billeting roll of 
May 1. company under command of. 29 names [con- 
stituting the last division of company by alpha- 
betical arrangement] with cost of billeting from 
date of enlistment to Apr. 30, 1759; date of enlist- 
ment varies in different cases. Cont. Copy. Ip. 

1759. Pownall, T[homas]. Boston. To Jonathan Hoi- 
May 11. man. Commission as 1st Lieutenant in com- 
pany of Jeremiah Learnard of regiment com- 
manded by Col. Abijah Willard. D. S. of 
Pownall, certified by A[ndrew] Oliver. In absence 
May 18. of Gov. Pownall Lt. Gov. Thomas Hutchinson 
certifies that Holman took the oaths required by 
Parliamentary and Provincial law. A. N. S. Ip. 

[1759.] Burk, John. [Deerfield, Mass.] Billeting roll of 
May 13. company under command of. 102 names with 
amount due for billeting each from date of 
enlistment to May 13. See Ruggles to Burk 
Jun. 1. Mar. 27, 1759. A similar roll compiled Jun. 1 
follows giving amounts due to May 26 and 
containing many signatures apparently as 
receipts for sums named. A. Ds. S. 3pp. and 
Ip. 

1759. Whiting, Leonard. Detachment at Fort Edward. 

Jun. 13. List of men detached from regiment of Brig. 

Genl. Timothy Ruggles on garrison duty at 

Fort Edward. 91 names. In ms. of William 

Henshaw. Ip. 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 25 

1759. Henshaw, Daniel. Leicester. Letter to William 

Jun. 23. Henshaw. Acknowledges letter of Jun. 13 and 

is pleased to know of his continued good health; 

war news that has reached Leicester; capture 

of French Man of War. A. L. S. Ip. 

1759. Whiting, Leonard. Fort Edward. Proceedings of 

Jul. 10. a garrison Court Martial consisting of Capt. 

Whiting and four others in the cases of Donald 

Curry, Thomas Muffett and Jacob Jones. Cont. 

Copy by William Henshaw. 2pp. 

1759. Kenfield, George and others. Camp at Lake 
Jul. 11. George. To John Burk. Receipt for one King's 
arm to each person. D. S. George Kenfield, 
Aaron Petty, Epliraim Smith. Ip. 

1759. Burk, John. Lake George. To Josiah Brewer. 
Jul. 12. Order on Brewer for goods to value of three 
shillings in favor of Joshua Gibbs. Similar 
orders of Jul. 28 and 31 are drawn by Burk on 
Brewer in favor of William Gray and John Pv ugg 
respectively. A. Ds. S. Ip. each. 

1759. Baldwin, Jeduthan. [Fort Edward.] Troops com- 
[July.] manded by. A List of officers and privates 
under Capt. Jeduthan Baldwin enlisted in the 
first battalion of [Brig.] Genl. [Timothy] Ruggles 
of which battalion Lt. Col. Joseph Ingersoll 
was commander. Names of three additional 
commissioned officers and 58 non commissioned 
officers and privates are given. Cont. Copy. Ip. 

1759. Elmer, Samuel. Fort Edward. To John Burk. 
Aug. 3. Order upon Burk to amount of £ 1. 12 s. 5 d. 
to be stopped from Elmer's wages in favor of 
Josiah Brewer and in payment of enclosed note 
to Brewer for above amount. Benjamin Edgell 
is witness to both note and order. Ds. S. 
Ip. each. 



26 American Antiquarian Society. 

1759. Burk, John. Crown Point. To Josiah Brewer. 

Aug. 10. Order upon Brewer for goods to value of twelve 

shillings in favor of John Rugg. A. D. S. of 

Ebenezer Bardwell "in behalf of Capt. John 

Burk." Ip. 

1759. Partridge, Oliver. Hatfield. Letter to John Burkr. 
Aug. 10. Congratulates Burk on successes thus far 
obtained; requests forwarding of news; men- 
tions reduction of Niagara, progress of [James] 
Wolfe, affairs in Virginia and visit from Lt. 
[Ebenezer] Sheldon. A. L. S. Ip. 

1759. Williams, Israel. Hatfield. Letter to John Burk. 
Aug. 13. Acknowledges letters and congratulates Burk 
on success at Crown Point; "this may be the 
day of vengeance upon our enemies;" no news 
from [Maj.] Genl. [Daniel] Webb; fragments 
of news from Europe; troops leaving No. 4 
[Charlestown, N. H.] presumably for Burk's 
support; hopes there will be no trouble between 
reenforcements and former men. A. L. S. 2pp. 

1759. Wyer, David. Annapolis Royal. Letter to Sam- 
Aug. 29. uel Curwen. Account of skirmishing and con- 
flicts in and near Annapolis. A. L. S. 2pp. 

1759. Whiting, Leonard. Fort Edward. Proceedings of 
Sep. 2. a garrison Court Martial consisting of Capt. 
Whiting and four others in case of John Munn. 
Cont. Copy by William Henshaw. Ip. 

[1759.] Henshaw, William. [Fort Edward.] Return of 
Sep. [20]. 49 men under command of Lieut, Henshaw 
with names and limited description of persons in 
company. A. D. S. Ip. Mutilated. 

1759. Curtis, Zacheus. Plymouth. To Gov. Thomas 

Oct. 3. Pownall and the General Court of Massachusetts. 

Petitions for remuneration for loss of his appren- 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 27 

tice Francis Finney for two years; Finney enlisted 
in company of Capt. Samuel Nicols Nelson for 
expedition against Crown Point; was captured 
at Fort William Henry and kidnapped by 
Indians; broke away in 1759; came to Ticonder- 
oga and on capture of that post was allowed by 
Sir [Jeffery] Amherst to return to Plymouth; 
result is loss of two years' service and other 
extra expense. A. D. S. Finney's oath to 
truth of statement is attested before Thomas 
Foster, Justice of Peace. A. N. S. of Foster. 
Ip. 

1759. [Henshaw, William.] Fort Edward. Return of 

Oct. 24. garrison at Fort Edward. A monthly return 

of the state of the Garrison at Fort Edward; 

portions of eight regiments given making 344 

men of all classes in the Garrison. A. D. ; Ip. 

1759. Whiting, Leonard. Fort Edward. Proceedings of 

Oct. 30. a garrison Court Martial consisting of Capt. 

Whiting and four others in cases of Thomas 

Moffett and Mathias Duyce. Cont. Copy by 

William Henshaw. Ip. 

1759. Lawrence, Sir Charles. Hahfax. ToCapt-Lieut. John 
Nov. 15. Walker. Directs Walker to proceed with Capt, 
[Benoni] Bank's company of rangers and relieve 
Capt. [Jotham] Gay with his provincials at Fort 
Edward; is to obtain from Capt. Gay account of 
stores etc. belonging to garrison and give receipt 
therefor; one-third of company to be on duty 
each day; further directions. Countersigned 
Archd. Hinshelwood Secy. D. S. 2pp. 

1759. Henshaw, William. Orderly Book for the expedi- 

May 9- tion to Fort Edward with later notes. The 

Nov. 28. volume has a list of the officers and men of 

Capt. Jeduthan Baldwin's Company in which 

Henshaw served as 2d Lieut., begins with the 



28 American Antiquarian Society. 

regimental orders at Worcester May 9, and 
follows the march until the arrival at Fort 
Edward Jun. 5, 1759. After this date are found 
orders as issued at Fort Edward [N. Y.] until 
Nov. 9, together with many of Henshaw's pri- 
vate notes. During November the location of 
camp varies as the expedition against Crown 
Point is assumed, and the final entry of the 
war is dated at Rutland, Mass., Nov. 28, when 
the company broke ranks. Later notes to 1773 
are of a miscellaneous character. A. D. 174 
and 42pp. 1 vol. 

A facsimile reproduction of a portion of this orderly 
book faces p. 7. 

1759. Crown Point, Diary of a soldier stationed at. 
May 16- The record begins with an account of conditions 
Nov. 28. at Albany and notes of the march from 
Springfield thither; this is followed by notes 
of march to Saratoga and description of 
local events about Crown Point; the most 
common entry until November being "noth- 
ing extraordinary." Appended to the diary 
proper are various orders for the first battalion 
of Brig. Genl. [Timothy] Ruggles's regiment 
by [Cornelius Stowell and] Joseph Ingersoll; 
other entries of a later date and disconnected 
with the Crown Point campaign follow. 43pp. 
1 vol. 

1759. Massachusetts, "Book of Balances". This volume 
[Dec] contains the names of soldiers representing the 

colony of Massachusetts in the French and 
Indian war during 1759 and to whom there is 
money yet due. In some cases the individual 
names of privates are omitted but total company 
numbers are given. The volume contains also 
receipts from officers and from many privates for 
monies received. 25pp. 1 vol. 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 29 

[1759]. [Burk, John. Crown Point?] A List of men that 
came in Maj. [Jolin] Hawks detachment. This 
list gives the names of 27 men belonging to 
Brig. Genl. Timothy Ruggles's regiment who 
accompanied Hawks by the road to No. 4 with 
accounts of billeting, etc. On verso is receipt 
of William Jennison to John Burk for money 
received for Thomas Haywood [Heywood.] 
A. D. Ip. 

[1759.] Burk, John. [Fall Town.] Roll of company 
under command of. This roll gives the names 
of 101 men including officers, with date of 
enlistment and occasional notes as to the 97 
privates. Cont. mss. 4pp. 

[1759.] [Burk, John. Fall Town.] Account of money 
disbursed. ''Account of the 2d billeting money 
which I have paid out & to whome." 9 officers 
mentioned as receiving money and goods with 
amount given each. Auto. ms. Ip. 

[1759.] Hawks, G[ershom. Fort Charlemont.] List of 
soldiers at Fort Charlemont under command of. 
List comprises names of 11 men under Hawks 
and 10 men of ''Taylor's garrison" under com- 
mand of Sergt. Otliniel Taylor. Cont. ms. Ip. 

1760. WiUard, Nahum. Worcester. To the Colony of 
Jan. 29. Massachusetts. Bill for services as physician 
and surgeon to Colonial troops Dec. 25, 1758 
to Aug. 10, 1759, 119 cases. Sworn to before 
Jacob Wendell, Boston, Jan 31, 1760. A. D. S. 
of Willard with A. N. S. of WendeU. 11pp. 

1760. Dimuck, Gideon. [Springfield.] Enlistment papers. 

Feb. 19. Acknowledgment of enlistment in provincial 

service and receipt of bounty money from 

Capt. Trastrum [Tristram] Davis with signed 



30 American Antiquarian Society. 

attestation of John Worthington dated Mar. 5 
D. S. Ip. 

Similar enlistment papers for Luke Day, Benjamin 
Knight, George Larkin, Edmond Murphy and Josiah 
Ward jr. are in this collection. All are attested by Worth- 
ington. 

1760. Warner, Ichabod. [Fall Town?] Enlistment papers. 

Feb. 24. Acknowledgment of enlistment in provincial 

service and receipt of bounty money from John 

Burk with signed attestation of Israel Williams 

dated Mar. 5. D. S. Ip. 

Similar enlistment papers for Thomas Elgar and Thomas 
Stanley are in this collection. Both are attested by 
Williams. 

1760. Ruggles, Timothy. [Springfield.] Proclamation. 
Mar, 13. Notifies any person having money received by 
^ Maj. [Francis] Ball for enlistments to pay same 

to Maj. John Burk. A. D. S. Ip. 

1760. Ruggles, Timothy. Boston. Letter to John Burk. 
Mar. 31. All men enlisted in Hampshire County to hold 
themselves ready to march at shortest notice 
to rendezvous selected; that provision for com- 
missions and supplies may be made, return of 
numbers enlisted by various officers and account 
of previous service to be forwarded at once ; time 
for enlistment extended to Apr. 15.- L. S. Ip. 

1760. Ruggles, Timothy. Boston. Letter to John Burk. 
Apr. 2. Exhaustion of bounty money by supplying 
recruiting officers; directs Burk to call upon 
such of their number as have funds remaining 
in case of enlistment of additional new recruits. 
L. S. Ip. 

1760. Harris, John. [Springfield.] Enlistment papers. 

Apr. 15. Acknowledgment of enlistment in provincial 

service and receipt of bounty money from Lieut. 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 31 

Joseph Thompson, with signed attestation of 
John Worthington dated Apr. 24, D. S. Ip. 

1760. Goffe, John. Camp. [N. H.] Letter to Lt. John 
[Apr.] 23. Parker. Need of provisions as movements are 
extended away from the [Connecticut] river; 
urges that wagons loaded with both flour and 
meat be hurried on from Number 4 [Charlestown, 
N. H.] and that nothing but king's stores be 
allowed on the wagons; Lt. [Othniel] Taylor 
should be allowed ten days provisions; is to 
communicate instructions to Lt. Timothy Bedloe. 
A. L. S. Ip. 

1760. Paine, Timothy. Worcester. To [John] Burk. 
Apr. 29. Sends blankets etc. by [Benjamin] Peirce and 
[Asa] Flagg; receipt to be signed and returned; 
additional stores to be obtained from Capt. 
[Luke] Bliss [jr.] of Springfield or from Capt. 
[Moses] Marsh of Hadley. Copy. Ip. 

1760. Gray, Harrison, jr. Worcester. Letter to John 

Apr. 30. Burk. Is unable to leave Worcester himself but 

sends £ 112 sterling for equipment of troops etc. ; 

asks to be informed if more is needed. A. L. S. Ip. 

1760. WiUiams, [Israel]. [Hatfield.] Roll of regiment 

Feb. 21- under command of. Roll gives names of 113 

May 12. men with dates of enlistment and muster; names 

are arranged under names of officers by whom 

men were enlisted. Auto, draft. 2pp. 

1760. Ruggles, Timothy. Boston. To Abijah Willard. 

May 19. Urges that provincial troops be hurried to 

Albany; is to forward letter or copy to John 

Burk. Copy by Willard on page with following 

letter. 

[1760.] Willard, Abijah. [Worcester.] Letter to John 
[May 21.] Burk. Has sent bounty notes by Lt. John 



32 American Antiquarian Society. 

Bailey and will send more if needed; [Harrison] 
Gray [jr.] will send money requested by first 
opportunity. A. L. S. Ip. 

1760. Gray, Harrison, jr. Worcester. Letter to John 

May 22. Burk. Sends him £31. 41s. 8 d. as desired; 

asks if money sent earlier has been received. 

A. L. S. Ip. See Gray's letter of Apr. 30 ante. 

1760. Torrence, Thomas. Leicester. To WilHam Hen- 
Jun. 7. shaw. Receipt to Henshaw for money in full 
for services of John Cannon and one other 
[in the campaign of 1759.] D, S. Ip. 

1760. Pitt, William. Whitehall. To Gov. [Stephen Hop- 
Aug. 23, kins] and the Company of Rhode Island. Has 
heard through British officers in America of 
illegal commerce between the King's subjects 
and the French settlements on the continent 
and islands; this commerce alone enables the 
French to continue the war in America especially 
by means of the money paid for French products ; 
strict inquiry to be made and punishment meted 
out' to all persons guilty of maintaining these 
trade relations. Cont. Copy. 2pp. 

This letter was a circular one addressed to the various 
Governors in America. See N. J. Archives, ser. I, vol. 
9, p. 240; Newark 1885; where is given the reply of Gov. 
Thomas Boone. 

1759- Louisburgh. Diary of an expedition to Louisburgh 

1760. with account of life on the coast of Cape Breton. 

May 15- The record begins with the departure from 

Sep. 24. Nantasket for Louisburgh [in the Oliver], and 

the author is the same as that of the diary Sep. 15- 

Nov. 15. 1758 (ante p. 22) with which this record 

is bound. Reaching Louisburgh May 24 the 

author mounts guard for the first time Jun. 10; 

on Jul. 9 sail is made on the Oliver for Spanish 

River [Cape Breton's Island]; account of events 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 33 

follows detailing movements of troops as well 
as of vessels; the volume closes with scattered 
orders after Jun. 1, 1760 and the announcement 
on Sep. 24 of the surrender on Sep. 8 of Montreal 
with all Canada to Genl. Amherst. 38pp. 1 vol. 

1760. Saturday, Jacob. Half Moon. To Jesse Bellows. Order 
Nov. 10. upon Bellows for sum of wages due to date. D.S. Ip. 

1759- Henshaw, William. Account Book. Accounts at 

1760. Fort Edward and at Leicester for various articles 

May 26- purchased from individuals named. There are 

Dec. 4. also occasional notes of money borrowed or 

loaned and events occurring within the writer's 

knowledge bearing upon the progress of the war. 

A. D. 14pp. 1 vol. 

In addition to this volxime there are in the collection 
many notes and accounts of Henshaw during the war for 
which no entries have been included in this calendar. 
Some are but fuller statements of items given in this 
Account Book and others refer to matters covered by 
the Henshaw Orderly Book Usted on p. 27. 

1760. Willard, Nahum. Worcester. To the Colony of* 
Dec. 22. Massachusetts. Bill for services as physician 

and surgeon to Colonial troops, Jan. 21, 1760 
to Dec. 1, 1760; 103 cases. A. D. S. 8pp. 

1761. Leake, Robert. Albany. To Samuel Mather. 
Jan. 11. Need of a deputy commissary at Fort Detroit; 

duties and salary of the position; offers it to 
Mather; if accepted latter is to meet writer in 
' New York to receive further detailed instructions 
proceeding thence to post via Philadelphia and 
Pittsburg. A. L. S. 2pp. 

1761. Danks, Benoni. Fort Cumberland. Roll of Com- 
Feb. 20. pany of. List of men in company of Capt. 
Benoni Danks; roll contains the names of 7 
officers and 93 privates. Cont. ms. Ip. 



34 American Antiquarian Society. 

1761. Stiles, Jacob. Leicester. To William Henshaw. 
Apr. 25. Receipt to Henshaw for money in full for services 
of Ephraim Gibson and one other [in the cam- 
paign of 1759]. D. S. Ip. 

1761. Hale, Robert. Chronicle of the War against the 

Apr. 30. French and Indians. This volume continues 

the chronicle begun in vol. I (Jul. 1, 1755-Oct. 30, 

1757) and contains similar notes to Apr. 30, 

1761. It is followed by a third continuing the 
record from May 1, 1761 to Oct. 30, 1762. See 
entries under date Oct. 30, 1757 and Oct. 30, 

1762. A. D. 66pp. 1 vol. 

1761. Bernard, Francis. Boston. To Benjamin Hallo- 
May 26. well jr. Commission as Captain of His Majesty's 
ship King George. D. S. of Bernard. Certified 
by A[ndrew] Oliver Secy. Ip. 

1761. Wethered, Samuel. Fort Cumberland, To John 

Jun. 8. Walker. Receipt for £ 15. 11 d. Nova Scotia 

currency in full of account to date; account is 

in large part for war stores of various kinds, 

A. D. S. Ip. 

1761. Scott, Jolm; Barritt, William and Levi Fletcher. 
Jun. 30. [Dunstable, Mass.] To John Tyng. Order upon 
Tyng in favor of Thomas Farrington for £ 3. 
14 s. 8 d. each, this sum being the amount 
remaining due to each from the Colony of 
Massachusetts as bounty money for enlistment 
in the French war. On verso is Farrington' s 
receipt of even date to John Tjmg for payment 
of several amounts above stated, D. S. Ip. 

1761. Cheever, Ezekiel and five others, Westford, [Mass,] 

Jul. 1, To John Tyng. Order upon Tyng in favor of 

Leonard Whiting for £ 3, 14 s, 8 d, each, this 

sum being the amount remaining due each 

from the Colony as bounty money. Signed: 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 35 

Ezekiel Cheever, Amborry [Ambrose?] Emery, 
Thomas Green, Nathaniel Emery, William Belk- 
nap, Nathenel Harmen [Nathaniel Harriman?]. 
On verso is Whiting's receipt of Jul. 2 to John 
Tyng for payment of several amounts above 
stated. D. S. 2pp. 

A like order upon Tyng in favor of Capt. Whiting signed 
by William Hunt and receipted by Whiting follows in 
the collection. 

1761. [Tyng, John. Dunstable.] Return of Enlist- 
[Jul. 2.] ments in Massachusetts Provincial Service. 
Return of men enlisted for His Majesty's service 
for the protection and security of His Majesty's 
dominions and conquests in North America. 
Roll contains names of 44 persons enlisted by 
Capts. William Barron, Thomas Farrington, 
Moses Parker, Leonard Whiting and Samuel 
Berry with time of enlistment and various 
details regarding same. On verso are receipts 
to John Tyng for provincial bounty received 
by men enlisting. In ms, of John Tyng. 44 
signatures. 2pp. 

1761. [Tyng, John. Dunstable.] Return of Enlistments 
[Jul. 4.] in Massachusetts Provincial Service. Return of 
men enlisted for His Majesty's service for the 
protection and security of His Majesty's domin- 
ions and conquests in North America. Roll 
contains names of three persons enlisted by 
Capt. Thomas Farrington with time of enlist- 
ment and various details regarding same. On 
verso are receipts to John Tyng witnessed by 
Jacob McDaniel for provincial bounty received 
by men enlisting. In ms. of John Tyng. 3 
signatures. 2pp. 

1761. [Tyng, John. Dunstable.] Notes of Money on 

Jul. 4. hand. Rough notes as to money of province 

on hand [and due various persons as bounty 



36 American Antiquarian Society. 

money for enlistment in Massachusetts provincial 
service.] A. D. Ip. 

1761. [Tyng, John. Dunstable.] Note of men enlisted 
[Jul. 4.] in companies of Capts. Moses Parker, May 1 
and 5, and Leonard Whiting, Apr. 29 [to whom 
bounty money is due.] A. D. Ip. 

1761. Goldthwait, Thomas. Boston. Receipt for enlist- 
Jul. 8. ments. Receipt for enlistments of men in com- 
panies of Capts. [Thomas] Farrington, [Leonard] 
Whiting and [Oliver] Barrons. A. D. S. Ip. 

1761. Whiting, [Leonard]. List of men under command 
Jul. 2-14. of. List of 18 men under Capt. [Leonard] 
Whiting with amounts of money paid various 
individuals. In ms. of John Tyng. 2pp. 

1761. Berry, Samuel. Dunstable. To John Tyng, 
Jul. 14. Receipt for £ 3. 14 s. 8 d. due to Zechariah 
Flagg jr., Samuel Farley jr. and Benjamin Cory, 
being the amount due each as bounty money 
from the Colony. Individual receipts signed 
by each of the above men are in the collection. 
These are dated Jul. 11, are witnessed by Samuel 
Berry and Hugh Floyd and were delivered to 
Berry. A. D. S. Ip. 

1761. [Tyng, John. Dunstable.] Note of money paid. 
Jul. 14. Note of £11. 4s. paid Samuel Berry in satisfac- 
tion of claim of Zechariah Flagg [jr.], Samuel 
Farley [jr.] and Benjamin Cory for remainder 
of bounty money due each. A. D. Ip. 

See preceding entry. 

1761. Cobb, Silvanus. Halifax. Receipt for various 

Sep. 16. supplies. Supplies and stores received on board 

sloop York & Halifax and to be delivered to 

Capt. Walmough at Fort Frederick, St. Johns 

river. "John Merserum, Witness." D. S. Ip. 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 37 

1762. [Tyng, John. Dunstable.] Return of Enlistments 
[Mar. 22.] in Massachusetts Provincial Service. Return 
of men enlisted for His Majesty's service for 
the protection and security of His Majesty's 
dominions and conquests in North America. 
Roll contains names of 41 soldiers enlisted by 
Capt. [William] Barron, Lt. [Ezekiel] Brown, 
and Lt. [Benjamin] Byram with time of enlist- 
ment and various details regarding the men 
enlisting. A. D. Ip. 

1762. [Tyng, John. Dunstable.] Return of Enlistments 
[Mar. 27.] in Massachusetts Provincial Service. Return 
of men enlisted for His Majesty's service for 
the protection and security of His Majesty's 
dominions and conquests in North America. 
Roll contains names of 44 soldiers enlisted by 
Capt. Benjamin Edwards, Lts. Benjamin Byram, 
[Thomas] Maxwell and Ensign Leo Butterfield 
with time of enlistment and various details 
regarding men enlisting. A. D. Ip. 

1762. Dixson, Thomas. Fort Cumberland. Letter to 
Apr. 9. John Walker. Acknowledges letters of Jan. 4 
by Capt. [David] Dickey; family matters; 
rumor of troops at Fort Cumberland about to 
be sent to the West Indies or to the Mississippi; 
refers him to Capt. [Benoni] Danks for further 
information; severity of previous winter and 
poor prospects for crops of present year. A 
L. S. 2pp. 

1762. Walker, John. Fort Frederick. To Col. [William] 
Apr. Forster. Encloses monthly returns of garrison 

for February and March; sent those for Novem- 
ber, December and January by a French courier 
to Fort Cumberland and hopes Forster has 
received them; reports as to accidents and 
desertions from fort; gives names of seven 
deserters and account of their capture; asks 



38 American Antiquarian Society. 

instructions as to their treatment; plenty of 
guns and ammunition at fort but small supply 
of flints. Auto. Copy Signed. 2pp. 

1762. [Tyng, John. Dunstable.] Return of Enlistments 
[May 15]. in Massachusetts Provincial Service. Return 
of men enlisted for His Majesty's service for 
the protection and security of His Majesty's 
dominions and conquests in North America. 
Roll contains names of 40 soldiers enlisted by 
Capts. Benjamin Edwards and Thomas Farring- 
ton, Lts. Ezekiel Brown, Benjamin Byram, 
[Thomas] Maxwell and Henry Woods, with 
time of enlistment and various details regarding 
men enlisting. A. D. Ip. 

1762. Hale, Robert. Chronicle of the War against the 
Oct. 30. French and Indians. This volume concludes the 

chronicle begun in Vol I, (Jul. 1, 1755-Oct. 
30, 1757) and continued in Vol. II, (Nov. 1, 
1757-Apr. 30, 1761) carrying it from May 1, 
1761 to Oct. 30, 1762. It is of the same charac- 
ter as the preceding volumes already described, 
giving outlines of important legislative and 
military happenings during the period covered 
although especial emphasis is given to the 
northern and eastern fields. See entries under 
dates Oct. 30, 1757 and Apr. 30, 1761. A. D. 
32pp. 1 vol. 

1763. [Bernard, Francis.] Boston. To Tarrant Putnam. 
Mar. 1. Commission as Capt. of 3d military company 

from Sutton. D. S. John Cotton, Depy. Secy. 
On verso is signature of John Chandler and 
Edward Davis attesting to oath taken by 
Putnam. Ip. 

1763. Stone, Joseph. Leicester. To William Henshaw. 
Oct. Receipt in full to Henshaw for money due for ser- 

vices at Fort Edward in 1759. D. S. bymark. Ip. 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 39 

1766- Rogers, Robert. Journal of Proceedings with the 

1767. Indians. This manuscript furnishes an account 

Sep. 21- of the proceedings of Maj. Rogers with the 

Feb. 1. Indians in the district of " Michilhmackinac " 

during the period immediately following the 

French and Indian war. The events here 

chronicled are a result of that war and should 

not be separated from it. 28 and 30pp. 



THE KEPPEL MANUSCRIPTS 

DESCRIPTIVE OF THE DEFEAT OF 

MAJOR-GENERAL EDWARD BRADDOCK. 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 43 

Commodore Augustus Keppel to Gov. Sir Charles Lawrence. 
Sir: Sea Horse at Sea July 26th, 1755. 

I have received the favour of several different letters from 
you upon his Majesties service & was upon the point of sailing 
to your port, but first the melanchoUy report of the defeat 
of the Kings troops under General Braddock stop't me and 
imediatly after receiving Admiral Boscawen's orders, I am 
prevented having the pleasure of seeing you, but I must give 
you joy of your being so much more effectually guarded. 

Between the first report of the General's death & any con- 
firmation of the story, there was a space of ten days which 
gave me flattering hopes that it was only report, but the day 
before yesterday, I received a confirmation of it by express 
from Wills creek, I imagine altho' its a melancholly subject 
you wou'd be glad of the particulars & have inclosed you a 
list of the killed and wounded, a copy of a letter from Mr. 
Orme, General Braddocks Aid de Camp, to me and a copy 
of Mr. Washingtons (who was likewise the General's Aid de 
Camp) to Governor Dinwiddle. Great blame & shame is 
laid to the charge of the private men of poor Sir Peter Halkett, 
& Col. Dunbars regiment that was upon the spot. The loss 
of the artillery is irretrievable as it enables the French to 
fortify themselves so strongly, and I fear very much the Credit 
of the British Arms among the Indians will now be lost. A 
number of unhappy circumstances will attend this defeat. 
It may effect Govr. Shirley in his attack against Niagara, as 
well as many other operations that were proposed. 

I give you joy that your expedition up the Bay has suc- 
ceeded so well & I wish Sir you may always be as successful. 
I am to far off to receive your comands for England & Am Sir 

Your most Obed. & most 

humble Servant, 
To Gov. Lawrence. A. Keppel. 

Endorsed: Commodore Keppel, Sea Horse at Sea July 26, 1755, 
enclosing copys of Capt. Orme's letter to Mr. Keppel, Majr. Washington's 
to Mr. Dinwidee & a list of officers at the action under Gen. Braddock 
on the Monongahela. reed, by Capt. Barrington, Aug. 11. 

See note on p. 49. 

Ofjicers present at the Battle of Fort DuQuesne. 

A List of the Officers who were present and of those Killed 
& Wounded in the Action on the Banks of the Monongahela 
the 9th July 1755. 

Staff. 

His Excelency Edwd. Braddock Esq. Genl and Commander 
in Chief of his Maj^ Forces in North America, Died of 
jjig Wounds. 



44 



American Antiquarian Society. 



Robert Orme ) ) tjtt ,, 

Roger Morris \- Esqs. Aids de Camp j ^ ounaea. 

\/Geo. Washington ) 

Willm. Shirley Esqr. Secretary Killed. 

Sir Jno. St. Clair Deputy Quar. Master General. .Wounded. 

Mattw. Lessley Gentn., [Lieut, serving as] Assistant 

to the Quart. Mastr. Genl Wounded 

\/Francis Halket Esqr. Major of Brigade 

44th Regiment. 

Sir Peter Halket Colonel Killed. 

Lieut. Col. [Thomas] Gage Slightly Wounded. 

Captn. [Charles] Tatton Killed. 

\/[Samuel] Hobson 

\/[John] Beckworth^ 

[Capt.-Lieut. Richard] Gethins Killed. 

f VLieut. [Thomas] Faulkner'^ 

[William] Litteler^ Wounded. 

\/[Richard] Baylie* 

[William] Dunbar Wounded. 

\/[James] Potinger* 

[James] Halket Killed. 

[John] Treby Wounded. 

[James] Allen^ Killed. 

[Andrew] Simpson^. . . 

[Robert] Lock« 

[Ensign Daniel] Disney 

[Quinton] Kennedy'. . 

[Robert] Townsend Killed. 

\/[William] Preston 

[Francis] Nartlow^ Killed. 

[George] Penington* Wounded. 

* The name of this ofiicer is usually given as Capt. John Beckwith, but 1 follow 
the text. Similar inaccuracies in spelling show that this list was made from no 
official report but from memory or from other than official information. 

'^ Faulkner's name is often given as Falconer. He ■v\'as promoted to a company 
Nov. 5, 1755. 
' More correctly spelled Littler. 

* This officer is sometimes confused with Alexander Baillie but is more probably 
the Richard Bailey who obtained his Lieutenancy Apr. 3, 1750. 

^ More accurately Pottinger. 

* Lt. Simpson had been promoted from the rank of Ensign Jun. 26, 1755, and Lock 
on the 27th. Allen is here given as killed, but a James Allen was commissioned Lt. of 
the 44th on Nov. 9, 1755, and it is probable that he was but wounded at this time. 

' Winthrop Sargent in his History of Braddock's Expedition, Philadelphia, 1865, 
gives this officer as Primrose Kennedy. 

* Unless this be Francis Nartloo, later Ensign and Lieutenant of the 55th Foot, I 
have been unable to identify him. The name Nartlow or Nortlow does not appear 
among the officers of the 44th in the Army List of 1755. The later lists do not 
contain his name, nor would they owing to his death, but he would have been com- 
missioned probably as early as Penington, who dated from Jun. 6, 1755. 



Subalterns. -^ 



>■ Wounded. 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 45 

48th Regiment. 

Lieut. Col. [Ralph] Burton* Wounded. 

Major [William] Sparks Slightly Wounded. 

■x/Captn. [Robert] Dobson 

[Robert] Chulmley .Killed. 

[Richard] Bowyer ) -nr,- , , 

[Robert] Ross | Wounded. 

Capt. Lieut. [William] Morris 

[Lieut. Theodore] Barbut ) -nrr , , 

[John] Walsham } Wounded. 

[Waterhouse] Crimble ) 

[William] Wideman^" [- Killed. 

[John] Hansard ) 

[Henry] Gladwin Wounded. 

\/[John] Hathorn 

[William] Edmiston Wounded. 

\/[John] Cope 

[Percival] Brereton" ) t^.,, , 

[John]Hirt \ ^"^^- 

[John] Montreseur Wounded. 

\/[John] Dunbar 

VLEnsign Thomas] Harrison^^ 

\/[ Joseph] Cowhart [Cowart] 

[Alexander] McMulen [McMullen] ^ 

[Richard] Crow >- Wounded. 

[Robert] Sterling ) 

Aetillery. 

\/Captn. [Thomas] Orde 

Captn. Lieutn. [Robert] Smith Killed. 

Lieut. [Francis James] Buckhanon. 

[William] McCloud [McLeod] }■ Wounded. 

[Patrick] McCuller 

Engineers. 

Peter McKeller . . . 

Robt. Gordon S- Esqrs V Wounded. 



[Adam] Williamson 



' The Army List for 1755 gives the name Robert Burton but this is an error. 

^^ In several cases spelling of names differs. Thus Wideman is better Widman, 
Hansard should be Handsard; Edmiston should be Edmondston, etc. 

**Brereton and Hart are given as Ensigns in the Army List for 1755, and their 
death prevents further mention. Dunbar and Montresor were commissioned Lieu- 
tenants on July 3 and 4 respectively. 

" Thomas Harrison appears to have been transferred from the 36th Regt. of Foot 
shortly before this campaign. 



46 American Antiquarian Society. 

Detachment of Sailors. 
Lieutn. Spendelow Killed- 

^r. ^Xr \ Midshipmen. ; ; ; ; ■ • ■ ; • ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; j^,„,; 

Captn. [William] Stone of Gen. [Peregrine] Lascells 

Regement Killed. 

[Scot] Floyer of [Maj.]Gen. [Hugh] Warbur- 

tons Regement '. Wounded. 

Independent Companies of New York. 

Captn. [Horatio] Gates Wounded. 

Lieutn. [Simon] Sumain Killed. 

V'[Richard] Miller 

Howarthof Capt.DemarisIndept.Compy. ) -yvQ^nfjg^j 
[Robert] Gray, of the same Company . . \ 

Virginia Troops. 

Capt. [Adam] Stevens Wounded. 

VfJohn] Wagoner^* 

[William] Poulson ) j^jig^j 

Peronie [Peyroney] ) 

\/[Robert] Stewart 

[John] Hamilton Killed. 

\/[Henry] Woodward 

x/[John] Wright 

[Carolus Gustavus de] Splitdorff Killed. 

[Walter] Stewart Wounded. 

[Edmond] Wagoner Killed. 

\/[John] McNeal 

According to the most exact return we can as yet get about 
600 men killed and wounded. 

Those marked Vagainst their names received no hurt. 

Capt. Robert Orme to Commodore Augustus Keppel. 

Extract of a Letter from Capt. Orme (Aid de Camp to his 
late Excellency Genl. Braddock) to the Honble. Augustus 
Keppel dated at Fort Cumberland the 18th July 1755. 

At the Little Meadows a place about Twenty Miles from 
this, we found it unavoidable to alter our disposition of march, 
it being impossible to proceed with such a Train of Carriages. 
A detachment was therefore made of twelve hundred men, 
ten pieces of ordnance, ammunition and provisions calculated 

*'The spellings in this Virginia list are defective. Wagoner should be Waggoner 
in each case; Poulson is probably Poison and McNeal should be McNeill; possibly 
Hector in place of John. 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 47 

for reducing the Fort and our subsistance. With this we 
proceeded very fast and in great spirits till about one o'clock 
on the 9th Instant. The French with some Indians, the 
number of both unknown, had taken a very strong post about 
half a mile from the Banks of Monongahela; our advanced 
party, consisting of 300 men began a very irregular & confused 
attack; they were ill sustained by 200 in their rear, and the 
whole fell back upon the van of [the] main body, commanded 
by the General, whilst he was moving forward to their assist- 
ance. From this time all was anarchy, no order, no discipline, 
no subordination; the General with the Officers endeavored 
to bring the men back to a sense of their duty, but all efforts 
were vain. 

This Confusion lasted about two hours and a half, and then 
the whole ran off crying the devil take the hindmost. Our 
guns, ammunition provisions and baggage remained in the 
hands of the enemy, and the General was with the greatest 
difficulty brought off being so much wounded as to be quite 
helpless. The General had five horses shot under him and 
at last received a shot through his lungs of which he died the 
13th Instant at night. His Family were prettily pickled, 
Shirley killed in the field, Morris and myself much wounded, 
Washington alone escaped tho' no man deserved a wound 
better, his whole Behavior being extremely gallant. Burton 
sends his compliments and is now lying by me, with an extreme 
bad wound in his hip, but it is hoped he will recover. 

Never did Officers behave so well. They got themselves 
murder'd by distinguishing themselves in leading their men on. 
28 Officers are dead, 35 wounded, many of which will not 
recover, and about 600 Men Killed & Wounded according to 
the best accounts we have yet been able to get. Your Guard 
behaved very well. Spendelow & Talbot are no more, and 
if you should see Pallisser, tell him his nephew behaved par- 
ticularly well, advancing with the colours and innocently 
asking if the men would not go along with him. 

I could talk to you an hour in this manner, but I am too 
weak to continue it long, but as my strength increases, I will 
write frequent and long letters. As soon as I am able, I shall 
go to Philadelphia and from thence to England. 

George Washington to Gov. Robert Dinwiddie. 

Fort Cumberland, July 18, 1755. 
Honbl. Sir: 

As I am favored with an opportunity, I should think myself 
inexcusable was I to omit giving you some account of our late 
Engagement with the French on the Monongahela, the 9th 
instant. 



48 American Antiquarian Society. 

We continued our March from Fort Cumberland to Frazier's 
(which is within 7 miles of Duquesne) without meeting any 
extraordinary event, having only a straggler or two picked 
up by the French Indians. When we came to this place, we 
were attacked (very unexpectedly) by about three hundred 
French and Indians. Our numbers consisted of about thirteen 
hundred well armed men, chiefly Regulars, who were immedi- 
ately struck with such an inconceivable panick, that nothing 
but confusion and disobedience of orders prevailed among them. 
The officers in general, behaved with incomparable bravery, 
for which they greatly suffered, there being near 60 killed and 
wounded — a large proportion, out of the number we had! 

The Virginia companies behaved like men and died like 
soldiers; for I believe out of three companies that were on the 
ground that day scarce thirty were left alive. Capt. Peyroney 
and all his officers down to a corporal, were killed; Captn. 
Poison had almost as hard a fate, for only one of his escaped. 
In short, the dastardly behaviour of the Regular troops (so- 
called) exposed those who were inclined to do their duty to 
almost certain death; and, at length, in despite of every effort 
to the contrary, broke and ran as sheep before hounds, leaving 
the artillery, ammunition, provisions, baggage, and, in short, 
everything a prey to the enemy. And when we endeavoured 
to rally them, in hopes of regaining the ground and what we 
had left upon it. it was with as little success as if we had attempt- 
ed to have stopped the wild bears of the mountains, or rivulets 
with our feet; for they would break by, in despite of every 
effort that could be made to prevent it. 

The General [Edward Braddock] was wounded in the shoulder 
andj breast, of which he died three days after; his two aids-de- 
camp were both wounded, but are in a fair way of recovery; 
Colo. [Ralph] Burton and Sr John St. Clair [Sinclair] are also 
wounded, and I hope will get over it; Sir Peter Halket, with 
many other brave officers, were killed in the field. It is sup- 
posed that we had three hundred or more killed; about that 
number we brought off wounded, and it is conjectured (I 
believe with much truth) that two-thirds of both received 
their shot from our own cowardly Regulars, who gathered 
themselves into a body, contrary to orders, ten or twelve 
deep, would then level, fire and shoot down the men before 
them. 

I tremble at the consequences that this defeat may have 
upon our back settlers, who, I suppose, will all leave their 
habitations unless there are proper measures taken for their 
security. « 

Colo. [Thomas] Dunbar, who commands at present, intends, 
as soon as his men are recruited at this place, to continue his 



French and Indian War Manuscripts. 49 

march to Philadelphia for winter quarters; consequently there 
will be no men left here, unless it is the shattered remains of 
the Virginia troops, who are totally inadequate to the pro- 
tection of the frontiers.*** 

The copy of Washington's letter mentioned as an enclosure by Keppel 
is not with the letter of that ofl&cer in the collections of this Society 
but there is a contemporary copy in the I^ibrary of Congress at Wash- 
ington. The copy printed above is from Ford: Writings of Washington 
I, 173. New York, 1889. 



1 TRRARV OF CONGRESS 

ifl! 

011 696 920 8 



^ 



